To the town of Coupeville, Woodward’s Tae Kwon Do, Whidbey Island’s Law  Enforcement, Emergency Services, friends and admirers of Billy Ray Hibbs Jr.;

On behalf of Justin, Nicole, Tyler, myself and the entire Hibbs family, I would like to say thank you for all the love and support you all gave us in our time of sorrow.

I knew that my husband was very liked by this community, but until that day, I never realized exactly how many lives he truly touched. Thank you all for joining us in the celebration of his life.

I would like to thank you all for the donations, flowers cards, phone calls, and visits that our family received.

They were all very beautiful and truly appreciated.

There are a few people I would like to give a special thanks for today. Dr. Zavaruha, Chris Garden, Chris Templen and the entire ER staff at Whidbey General Hospital who tried to save my husband’s life. My family and I believe that you did everything humanly and medically possible to save his life. For that I am truly grateful.

To Lenny Marlborough for getting word to me and having me escorted to the hospital as quickly as possible. For your wonderful tribute to Ray and the “Ataboy” coins. Justin and Tyler will treasure them forever. For helping me plan Ray’s celebration, you did an outstanding job.

To Dave Penrod for your help in transporting the family from the airport, and for your phone calls and support. And for taking the time to take Angel and Coulton on a ride-along to show them where Billy Ray worked and introducing them to some of his friends.

To Hodges Gowdey for escorting me to the hospital and for helping in the transporting the family from the airport. Also for stopping by to check up on me and to give me a hug each day.

To Brent Durley for staying by my side and never leaving me until my family arrived – for being a great friend and my rock at this time. For traveling with us to Texas and representing the town of Coupeville and Marshals Office during his funeral. But mostly for being Billy’s best friend for the past seven years.

To Ray Helstley and Maria Allen. Thank you for everything you both have done for us. Your support and love has been wonderful. Thank you for accepting us in to your family and being there whenever we need you. You are two of the dearest friends we will ever have.

To Rick and Monica Felici, Darren and Kelly Crownover, Sandy Brown and Jessie Miller. Thank you for all of your love and for organizing all the donations brought to our home. Thank you for being at my home every day and taking care of me and my family.

To Island County Sheriff’s Deputies Guild. Thank you for your donations, hotel rooms and food that you bestowed on our family.

To Marshall and Jan Bronson for the rooms for Tyler and his mother, and for performing Billy’s eulogy. Your remembrance of Ray’s time here in Coupeville was absolutely beautiful.

To Greg and Jamie Woodward, Megan Donaldson and all the students at Woodward’s Tae Kwon Do. Thank you for the support, love and respect that you have always shown Billy Ray. Tae Kwon Do was truly one of Ray’s passions and he enjoyed working with, and teaching, each and every one of you. Thank you, Greg, for your kind and loving words of remembrance to Billy Ray. We as a family are very fortunate to have you as part of our lives.

To Jim and Linda Haddon. Thank you for the most beautiful celebration of life honoring my husband. It was an amazing tribute to Billy Ray’s life. The family and I were very pleased.

To Gina Young, Sandy Hanson, Colette Husby, Elizabeth Moon and Alicia Force  for taking over for me at work and helping out with my children. Thank you for being such wonderful supportive friends.

To everyone who pitched in and donated supplies to remodel our home. Words can not describe my appreciation for all that you have done for me and my children. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. You all have made it a little easier to stay around and a lot harder for me to leave.

Thank you all for everything that you have done to help me and my family. Wherever the path of life takes my children and I, we will always consider the Town of Coupeville our home.

Please remember that Billy Ray may be gone, but his memory, sprit and legacy will live on forever in each of us.

With love and extreme gratitude,

Jeanine Marie Hibbs

Coupeville